Good Manners

If we were to look back into history before the advent of Islam, when the entire world was in darkness. In a time, in which humans lived and acted as animals. In a time, when people were fond of fighting about trivial and petty matters. When daughters were regarded as a disgrace upon the entire family, and immortality had the upper hand. Therefore, to uproot this darkness, disorder and moral degradation, the Prophet Sallallahu Alayhi Wassallam came, taught and spread his word, even before being ordained with the blessing and bounty of Prophethood. It was the main catalyst for the spread of Islam from that time and throughout the centuries that have passed.

When the Holy Prophet Sallallahu Alayhi Wassallam attained Prophethood, the first and foremost action that he Sallallahu Alayhi Wassallam taught was Good Manners! You must bear in mind that the time was such when the moral condition of society was non-existent. Still, he Sallallahu Alayhi Wassallam was like a beacon of light that shone throughout the Arab peninsula. Before he Sallallahu Alayhi Wassallam propagated the compulsory acts of worship, the Prophet Sallallahu Alayhi Wassallam first set about sorting out the conduct and way of living of those people who accepted His message. The Prophet Sallallahu Alayhi Wassallam began by uniting the different functions of Arab tribes, who had been at loggerheads with each other for centuries. The Holy Prophet Sallallahu Alayhi Wassallam showed these people how to live, how to get on with other people, how to speak to other people, how to respect every living thing. Moreover, The Prophet Sallallahu Alayhi Wassallam taught them everything which a person needs to live a peaceful and harmonious live.

The religion of Islam has taught rules of etiquettes and manners covering every aspect of life which are applicable for the whole society, the old, the young, men and women. We must not forget that the Prophet Sallallahu Alayhi Wassallam said, “Women are the counterparts of men.” Hence what is required of men, in adhering to Islamic manners, is likewise required of women, for together they form the Muslim society and through them Islam is introduced and identified.

Now let us look at the state of the Muslims of today including the ‘So called scholars or educated people'. How many of us actually adhere to these manners? Almost everyone knows what manners are and everyone knows the importance of them, but today Muslims are arguably the worst mannered people from the inhabitants of this world. The thing about it is that our religion is based upon these very manners. Allah Ta'ala throughout the Holy Quran has taught us about manners. From the respect of parents to the respect of each other. We then have numerous amounts of Ahadith from the Prophet Sallallahu Alayhi Wassallam. As a bonus, we have had living examples of these manners, amongst these were the pious predecessors, the companions of the Prophet Sallallahu Alayhi Wassallam and of course the best amongst them the Prophet Sallallahu Alayhi Wassallam himself. I quote “He (Muhammed Sallallahu Alayhi Wassallam) is the first living commentary on the meaning of the Holy Quran in the practice of life.”(The Oxford Dictionary of World Religion)

It is also a well-known fact from the manners of the Prophet Sallallahu Alayhi Wassallam that he Sallallahu Alayhi Wassallam never ate anything which produces a bad smell. The Prophet Sallallahu Alayhi Wassallam always put on a simple but clean dress. The Prophet Sallallahu Alayhi Wassallam would brush his teeth many times in a day. Nobody smelled bad odour from His body. This hospitality was not confined to the Muslims, but the Christians, the Jews and infidels got the benefit of it. Seeing others in trouble made him restless. He was generous and kind – he advised his followers to take care of their health and maintain it properly. He took care of the prisoners of war as his guest.

This social concept was constructive and of advancement and not disintegrating. To him, the service of humanity was the highs act of devotion.

The Prophet Sallallahu Alayhi Wassallam advocated these etiquettes and stressed it to perfect the Islamic personality and to bring about harmony among people. These manners are central to Islam, its purposes and its aims. These are compulsory upon Muslims who don't have the option of ignoring this code of behaviour.

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